Peek at the Week: Chargers can’t escape the heat in Week 2

The story: Too bad Robert Mueller wasn’t hired to investigate the scheduling of this game. The Seahawks opened on Sept. 4. The Chargers opened on Monday. Do the math, people. One team (the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks) had nine days to get ready for the game, while the other (San Diego) had five. What happened to parity? Philip Rivers will have enough trouble trying to solve the Legion of Doom without the league’s schedule makers getting in the way. But that’s not all. Good luck with the weather. The temperature in the stands Sunday is expected to be in the mid-to-upper 90s. Honest.

Hall of Fame worthy: Including the playoffs, the Seahawks won their last five by a score of 152-65 — an average margin of victory of 17.4.

THREE OTHERS SUITABLE FOR HALL OF FRAMING

Atlanta @ Cincinnati, 1 p.m., EDT

The line: Bengals by 5

The story: This is where we discover if the Falcons are for real. They put up a franchise-record 568 yards on New Orleans last week, and the Saints were the league’s fourth-ranked defense a year ago. We know that Cincinnati’s legit — if we’re not talking January, that is — and the Bengals don’t lose at home. In fact, they’re aiming for their 10th consecutive regular-season victory there. Don’t expect Matt Ryan to have the same success here he had a week ago, but do expect a close game.

Hall of Fame worthy: Under Mike Smith, the Falcons are 46-2 when leading after three quarters.

Detroit @ Carolina, 1 p.m., EDT

The line: Carolina by 2-1/2

The story: “Donkey Kong Suh?” First of all, why did Cam Newton keep hammering that name this week? Second, what exactly does it mean? I don’t know, either, but, Derek Anderson, stay warm. Cam seems to have touched a nerve. If Carolina plays defense as it did Monday night it won’t matter if Cam Neely or Pam Anderson quarterbacks the Panthers; they win. Yeah, I know, the Lions have Megatron. But these aren’t the New York Giants. The Panthers have a defense; the Giants are searching for a pulse.

Hall of Fame worthy: Carolina won its last seven regular-season games at home.

Chicago @ San Francisco, 8:30 p.m., EDT

The line: 49ers by 7

The story: A radio host in Chicago asked me if the Bears had a chance here, and I told him they did … but not much of one. Reason: 1) Playmakers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey are banged up, with Marshall missing two days of practice this week; 2) Matt Forte will struggle against a defense that didn’t allow a 100-yard rusher a year ago and 3) the 49ers are a better, deeper team. If there’s hope for Chicago it’s this: The 49ers’ offense sputtered in preseason and put up 28 points last weekend against a horrid Dallas defense. Maybe it sputters again. If so, Robbie Gould please stand by.

Hall of Fame worthy: The 49ers produced a league-high 21 points off turnovers last weekend.

… AND ONE THAT’S NOT

St. Louis @ Tampa Bay, 4:05 p.m., EDT

The line: Bucs by 5-1/2

The story: The Rams have decided to play the season without a quarterback, and that might be OK if their defense was hermetically sealed. But it’s not, with St. Louis hemorrhaging 34 points to Minnesota (at home, no less) and losing defensive end Chris Long in the process. These two combined for 20 points in their openers, but Tampa had 14 of them. That gives them the edge. So does the homefield. And so does the opponent.

Hall of Fame worthy: Jeff Fisher is 6-1 vs. Tampa Bay.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Rick Gosselin — Jacksonville (+6-1/2) over Washington. The Redskins are completely out of synch on offense and face a young, improving defense in the Jaguars. How soon before the Redskins turn to Kirk Cousins?

Ron Borges — Jets (+8-1/2) over Green Bay. They are who Rex thinks they are.

Clark Judge — Oakland (+3) over Houston. So MJD doesn’t play. He’s not the key here. The Black Hole is … and Ryan Fitzpatrick is about to sink in it.

LOCK OF THE WEEK

Denver over Kansas City, 4:25 p.m.

The line: Broncos by 12

The story: This is all you need to know about this game: Peyton Manning is 11-1 vs. the Kansas City. Check, please. The Chiefs couldn’t beat Jake Locker at home. So how are they going to solve Peyton Manning? Answer: They’re not.

Hall of Fame worthy: Denver’s DeMarcus Ware has four sacks in his last two games vs. Kansas City.

This Weeks Poll Question

About Us

Whenever a notable player reaches or nears retirement, the first questions asked is, “Is he a first-ballot Hall of Famer?”
Well, we have the answer. That’s because our weekly radio program is hosted by three long-time NFL writers: Clark Judge, Ron Borges and Rick Gosselin are three of the 48 selectors for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Here’s the hook: where other programs call their analysts “insiders,” our guys ARE insiders. Because they’re on the “inside,” these guys have access to some of the biggest names in pro football. Our two-hour show puts a Hall-of-Fame perspective on players, coaches, plays, issues and stadiums from the past, present and future.